Several years ago at a holiday gathering of friends, I was talking about some images I had captured with my camera. I had been at the right spot at the right time. I call these times—gifts. Gifts of being present. A friend who had made up some sets of my photo greeting cards of “Andy’s Garden” for friends and family said to me, “Your face changes when you talk about photography.”

     I laughed ducking my head while saying, “It’s just a hobby.”

     She stared at me and said, “It’s more than that. You should see the passion in your eyes when you talk about favorite images.”

     I’ve thought about that exchange often over the years. It has never gone away because I realize it’s true. I can forget everything when I pick up a camera and start searching for images. My family has another name for it. “Oh, no! Not another photo stop! Might as well find a book or a deck of cards. We’re going to be here awhile.” Or, “Mom. Not today. I promised to meet So & So in an hour.”

     “I’ll only be a minute. Humor me.”

     My photography addiction does more than humor me. It provides me with gurgling laughter. Maybe joy is a better word for it.

     So while others have holiday traditions of baking 12 different kinds of Christmas cookies, wrapping fruit cakes in rum laden cheese cloths, stringing cranberries and popcorn for the Christmas tree, or making batches of homemade fudge and peanut brittle, I embrace the holiday spirit by making holiday greeting cards. (Also, since I’m diabetic, I need to stay away from food traditions. Who was I really making those cookies for anyway?)

     I love snail mail and the chain of greetings it brings during the holidays. I love the feel of paper and reflective colors in my hands. I like gathering them in a wicker basket and savoring them throughout and long after the holiday ends.

      On this week’s blog, I’m sharing my 2009 card, A-Mazing Deer with you and its accompanying poem. I’m sending my wish that you have a blessed holiday season whose memories surround you throughout the years. And maybe if your fortunate to have a friend tell you, “You should see your eyes sparkle” when talking about something you love doing, see if you can turn it into a life savoring holiday tradition.

NO LESSONS NEEDED

Carole Calladine

Be in the now

To frame nature

Swirling around me.

The lens captures

Multi-hued reflections

Of water, earth, and sky

As winter, spring, summer,

And autumn textures

Come into focus

And then fade

In ever-twirling turns.

I’m dazzled by harmony

And get drunk daily on beauty.